Block driver update on Windows 10

One of the most annoying things that I could notice with the latest update of Windows 10 the impossibility of blocking the update of drivers by Windows Update. In previous releases of Windows it was possible to instruct the operating system to prevent the automatic download of new drivers on Windows, so as to avoid problems with peripherals or the most sensitive components (for example audio drivers). With the Fall Update it is no longer possible to stop updating drivers, which will proceed automatically even when not necessary, without notifying the user. Discover in this guide how to avoid using an inappropriate driver and how to block driver update on the latest version of Windows 10.

Use the appropriate Windows driver

If the new driver is already installed on your PC (you have not had time to react) you can go back to using the old driver you were used to by right-clicking on the Start menu and selecting the item Device management.

Identify the device or internal component that received the new driver from Windows Update, then right-click on it and select Update driver.

In the window that opens, select the item now Search for driver software on your computer, then the voice Choose from a list of drivers available on your computer. In the new window you will see all the drivers compatible with the device, both the one already present in the system and the one installed with the automatic update.

Select the driver entry then click on Come on to use it. From now on you will use the driver that works best and you will not receive any other update notifications (except if a new driver version does not come out).

Tip: do not uninstall the driver to use the default one, since Windows Update will re-download the driver you do not want to use at the earliest useful opportunity by entering a vicious circle.

Block driver update on Windows 10 (Pro)

If you have Windows 10 Pro you can completely block driver updates on Windows using the tool Group policies. Open the Start menu and type gpedit, as in the image below.

In the new window you will have to browse through the folders to find the right option. Path Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Update. Among the many entries present select Do not include drivers with Windows updates.

Double-click on the entry and to block driver updates click enabled.

Now click OK and restart your PC. You just managed to block automatic driver update with Windows 10!

Block driver update with Driver Booster

Once you go to block driver update, I suggest you use a program that can handle driver updates in a more convenient way. The program I recommend Driver Booster, downloadable for free here.

DOWNLOAD | Driver Booster

Once installed, start scanning devices for drivers; if the program also notes the update of the device that you absolutely do not want to touch it will be sufficient to right-click on the offending update and use the button Ignore.

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